As goaltending is quite obviously not the problem with the IceCats, the recent lack of offensive success has played a large part in Worcester's inability to win in its last five games. In those five games, the Cats have scored only 8 goals, down from 20 in the five games before that. Although it's apparent that the IceCats need to rekindle their offensive spark, it's hard to criticize them too much since they have been playing some of the AHL's best teams.
Last Wednesday night marked the Saint John's Flames first of two visits to the Centrum this season, the second of which is tomorrow night (the 13th) at 7:05 PM. Squaring off in net against Fichaud was former U-Mass Lowell goalie Dwayne Roloson for the Flames. Roloson faced over 30 shots on net, stopping all but two to keep the IceCats at bay for the tie. Only Freddy Knipscheer (power play goal assisted by right wing Paul Broten and Eric Fichaud) and defenseman Jason Widmer (2nd goal of the season assisted by defenseman Terry Virtue and center Alex Vasilevskii) were able to beat the Saint John netminder, forcing the IceCats to settle for a draw.
Two nights later, the Cats traveled down the Mass Pike to lovely Springfield to face off against the Falcons in "the Nest" (I know it's corny, but that's what they call it). Fichaud kept Worcester in the game, stopping 38 of 41 shots as the Cats mustered a 3-3 tie against the first place Falcons. Paul Broten, Fred Knipscheer, and defenseman Christer Olsson all scored for the IceCats, with Olsson's game-tying goal coming on the power play late in the second period.
Saturday night, the Cats returned to the Centrum to face division rival Providence Bruins. The IceCats were looking for revenge after an embarrassing 5-0 loss in Providence on Dec. 2nd (the first time this season Worcester has been held scoreless). Alas, it was not to be, as Baby B's goalie Rob Tallas (with Blain Lacher as backup) stopped 40 of the Cats 42 shots, earning himself the second star of the game, and forcing Worcester to settle for yet another tie. Right wing Patrice Tardif scored both of the IceCat's goals (with Knipscheer assisting) and Fichaud made 33 saves, including a couple of incredible glove saves in OT, improving Worcester's unbeaten streak to three games.
After tomorrow's game against the Flames, the Falcons will fly into the Centrum for a rematch on Saturday (the 16th) at 7:35 PM. Release some end-of-the-term stress by supporting the IceCats on either night; you'll definitely want to be there when the Cats' offense starts bearing its claws again!
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